Greetings from Greece and Bavaria

Well, here I am. I just arrived at the hotel in Greece after having some great lunch with FormActions CEO and some other workers... and some coffee by the sea side

But now it's time to post what you're waiting for... the latest status update.

The status of the PCBs

Well, I've visited Nikolaus yesterday to pick up a PCB set for the prototype case production run here in Greece.
He showed me what you can also see on this video here (you probably have seen it already):

So, what is it that you can see on this video?
This is a prototype setup that has fully been booted into X.
It boots off the CPU PCB (right now, that's Nikolaus testing PCB, but there's no difference than with the normal ones, only that he can debug a bit more here), the display works (incl. touchscreen), the rotator works, the LEDs work, all the hardware on the PCB physically works (means: we haven't made extensive tests i.e. with Wifi connections or usage, but the module is there and answers when we talk to it).

The LCD doesn't show anything really useful, as it's Nikolaus' testing card, but it booted into X (LXDE).

The only connection going into the set is the Micro USB Power cable. Nothing else.

So that's the very first really working booted up prototype (except for the missing case)
Oh, and it also works with a battery, but it's hard to make a video with that, without having a case that keeps the battery in place.

So YES, we're getting there
The low-level software is still not yet finished (only almost), some things still need to be implemented (some power stuff), so I couldn't take a full working set with me to Greece, but hopefully, when I come back, we can start building them soon

The status of the Case

I am here in Greece, currently in my hotel, and I'll be at FormAction (the case manufacturer) the next two days.

The moulds are all finished, they already produced a sample case (and I can't wait to see it!).
We're doing multiple things these two days:

Looking forward to more info about the case and some pics/videos with everything together. I really like the list of things you are considering, especially a scratch resistant matte plastic, color options, and how the logo will look. Of course all the other fit and feel stuff is very important, too.

Thanks a bunch for sharing.

ED, do you have any colors you prefer, either for production or for your personal Pyra?

I'm glad the case company didn't have you fly in, only to say, "the cases won't be ready for 2 more weeks". LOL

Awesome news ED, glad to see everything coming together so nicely. I'll be looking forward to ordering my new micro sd cards once there is a production schedule locked in, as I'm trying for the lowest cost possible, so no need to order early.

Also ready for preorders of the Pyra as well, hopefully that very cool "yellow" from the case renders will be possible, as that was hands down my favorite. Good luck in Greece, enjoy the scenery, and we'll be looking forward many updates.

So how does one conduct business in Greece?
Drive up, roll down the windows, in an area where you can see all of your surroundings.
Make sure it is in a no stop - no parking zone, as anything less will raise suspicion.

Hope there wont be a 'case dismissed' when inevitably EDs luggage is lost on the way back.

So how does one conduct business in Greece?
Drive up, roll down the windows, in an area where you can see all of your surroundings.
Make sure it is in a no stop - no parking zone, as anything less will raise suspicion.

Hope there wont be a 'case dismissed' when inevitably EDs luggage is lost on the way back.

Click to expand...

nothing like casual racism to show the world what sort of person you are...

no no no... what if a kid in 'merika walks around with a Pyra in his hand? He will be shot down, no questions asked (well, maybe will hear "drop that gun" first... but would you drop a pyra from that hight?)

Scratch Resistante Plastik sounds great, exspacily for a EDC Device like the Pyra,
on the Lid of my Pandora is a black scratch where it dit contakt whit a button from my workpants whyle it got carryed in it..
It still works great for a CC Pandora, but dosnt look that good anymore..

Glad you came whitout Problems to Greece, i hope there is a bit better weather than in bavaria..
Also its cool that the Board seems to work..
Looking forward for your next posts from Greece, good luck whit the faktory ther..

@EvilDragon What if/when all is good, how much time is there in between you want to make the order and the actual production? Will you order the first batch of cases as soon as possible or are you going to wait out the pre orders first?

Also, will you consider community input on color and finish decision or are you going to choose what looks best to you? It would be great if you could film the samples they have in the factory

I still prefer the black of the original 600MHz Pandora because it reminds me of the Thinkpads I grew up on. It feels like something I can pull out and show around in any circumstance without worrying about whether the person will judge it based on appearance.